Musings Archives : JamiFairleigh.com

Image description: A picture of moss-covered trees and a trail taken in the rainforest during the rainforest writers retreat

Writing Magic at the Rainforest Writers Retreat 2025

Posted on March 21, 2025 by Jami Fairleigh

I just wrapped up my fifth Rainforest Writers Retreat in Quinault, Washington. It was exactly the creative reset I needed. There’s something about the quiet hush of the rainforest—the steady patter of rain, the mossy stillness of the trees—that clears...Read More

Magical Realism or Fantasy? Understanding the Difference

Posted on March 7, 2025March 9, 2025 by Jami Fairleigh

Fantasy subgenres can get confusing. Especially when publishers erroneously throw terms around like they’re interchangeable. Contemporary fantasy, low fantasy, and magical realism often get mixed up even though there are distinct differences between each. Of the three, I think magical...Read More

Welcome, 2025

Posted on January 3, 2025January 3, 2025 by Jami Fairleigh

There’s something magical about the fresh start a new year brings, isn’t there? Right now, 2025 is like a blank journal. A journal where nothing's been written. Everything is still possible. It’s also like stepping onto a beach at sunrise,...Read More

Breaking Free from a Reading Slump

Posted on December 13, 2024 by Jami Fairleigh

Ah, the dreaded reading slump—a state every book lover encounters at some point. It’s as if your enthusiasm for stories goes dormant, leaving you staring at your TBR pile with disinterest. Nothing sounds good. You may open several, but you...Read More

Image description the cover of American Dirt over the image of a train traveling through a desert

Book Review: American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins

Posted on October 11, 2024 by Jami Fairleigh

American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins American Dirt: Flatiron Books (2020) 400 Pages Amazon | Bookshop.org Book Description Lydia lives in Acapulco. She has a son, Luca, the love of her life, and a wonderful husband who is a journalist. And...Read More

The Unfun Side of Authoring

Posted on September 27, 2024 by Jami Fairleigh

There's nothing like juicing up on strong black coffee, firing up your website, and getting ready to write a blog post only to find... website configuration issues. Say it with me: "This work is unfun." Today, instead of talking about...Read More

Image Description: Long horn cow and old fashioned wagon photo taken during Write on the Ranch writing retreat

Finding Focus at Write on the Ranch Retreat 2024

Posted on September 13, 2024September 13, 2024 by Jami Fairleigh

Last weekend, I attended a writing retreat called "Write on the Ranch" at the K Diamond K guest ranch. First, let me tell you, the guest ranch experience was terrific. They provided great food (served family style), tons of animals,...Read More

Image description: Title of blog post over a picture of a birthday cake decorated with blackberries and lilacs

Plot Twists and Birthday Bliss: A Novel Celebration

Posted on May 31, 2024 by Jami Fairleigh

Today marks the start of another journey around the sun. Despite it being my birthday, I started the day like any writer: a cup several cups of strong coffee and a determination to revise at least one scene. Instead, I...Read More

Image description: A handsome collection of leatherbound classics on a wooden shelf

Should We Read The Classics?

Posted on May 10, 2024 by Jami Fairleigh

Deciding whether to dive into the classics can feel a bit like choosing between a trusty old pair of jeans and the flashy new ones on sale. Both have their merits, but which pair speaks to you? Let’s face it:...Read More

The Comment That Created a Click

Posted on April 5, 2024 by Jami Fairleigh

If you've read my first post, you know I received an assertion that a book I reviewed was stolen in part from another author. Here is the comment (reprinted with the comment author's position) nearly* as it was presented. *Note,...Read More

Did I Hear a Click?

Posted on April 5, 2024April 5, 2024 by Jami Fairleigh

You know that moment in the movies when someone takes a random step then hears a click? Everyone freezes. If, like me, you get utterly wrapped up in stories, you freeze too. Like any movement you make might detonate whatever...Read More

Image description: cover of story genius over image of woman reading multiple books

Book Review: Story Genius by Lisa Cron

Posted on February 23, 2024 by Jami Fairleigh

Story Genius by Lisa Cron Story Genius: Ten Speed Press (2016) 267 Pages Amazon | Bookshop.org Book Description It's every novelist's greatest fear: pouring their blood, sweat, and tears into writing hundreds of pages only to realize that their story...Read More